Recently, the Washington DC Metropolitan area experienced the meteorological version of a political coup after a destructive storm “cell” swept through the area. My family was one of the very few lucky ones. Our lights stayed on, the AC hummed and the ice cream did not melt! I bore witness to many people, however, who spent five days without electricity.
What happens during a loss of power?
- Blindness. We flail aimlessly in the dark.
- Pain. We’re rendered at best, ill at ease, in absence of the usual comforts that our fortunate positions in life (at least in many suburbs of Washington DC) afford us.
- Laryngitis. Our “wired” ways of connecting and completing the business of the day are suddenly unavailable.
- Restlessness. Our days end on the sun’s clock not our own.
Seeing this list in black and white, it becomes even clearer to me why a loss of power is so unsettling. And then it dawned on me — for the company leader who is trying to manage his/her world of screaming stakeholders or even the parent who is trying to manage his/her world of screaming kids — when one chooses to give up (or is forced to relinquish) influence, the experience the is same – at least temporarily:
- Blindness. A shadow is cast on your professional or personal game plan.
- Pain. The pleasures, whether physical or emotional, that accompanied your role in the spotlight or nightlight are no longer guaranteed.
- Laryngitis. Whether it’s inspiring, cajoling, empathizing, manipulating, bribing, chest beating, lamenting, your voice, as you know it (and as perhaps your children or co-workers know it) has been unplugged.
- Restlessness. Because suddenly the standard outlets for your energy do not exist, you have fewer reasons (or excuses) to maintain high wattage presence and pace.
All the more reason to hold onto every opportunity to be in charge.
Except, I do believe that, in the aftermath of a storm or coup (whether other-or self-induced), new opportunities for control reveal themselves.
- Blindness allows us to discover new ways of seeing old situations. (“There is more than one company vision.” OR “way to engage kids around homework.”)
- When experiencing pain, we more fully understand our real versus imagined thresholds for discomfort. (“I really can handle this disciplinary action.” OR “his/her messy bedroom.”)
- In the wake of laryngitis, we can connect to and with our world differently. (“I’m going to simply walk around the office.” OR “watch my children play.”)
- Restlessness forces us to experience the benefits of re-charging during times of unplanned “retirement.” (“I’m just going to be quiet for a while.”)
Summer will be over in no time now. The seasonal storms and blackouts will reduce in frequency. Perhaps against this backdrop, you, not Mother Nature , can take control of your dimmer switch and find new ways, and counterintuitively, new opportunities, for power. If you agree, consider the following:
- In what area might you seek a reduction in your own power or control?
- What motivates your interest in this change?
- How might your vision, level of comfort, voice, and/or level of activity be compromised with this change?
- What might you discover as a result?